Subcommittee Chair Durbin (D-IL), along with Senators Cardin (D-MD), Feingold (D-WI) and Franken (D-MN), expressed deep concern and commitment to ensuring that the U.S. continues to lead by example on the international stage, by prioritizing and addressing the numerous human rights issues that currently exist within the U.S., including issues around detention, child trafficking, Indigenous rights, and discrimination, to name just a few.Amnesty International submitted written testimony for the hearing, which included expert testimony by key members of the administration as well as representatives of top domestic and international human rights organizations. A copy of this testimony is available if you are interested.

The question is, would ratifying an international treaty make any difference? The answer is yes, CEDAW is important! The treaty has been a vital tool for women’s rights activists in countries which have ratified it to demand their rights be enshrined in law. It has been used to develop citizenship rights in Botswana and Japan, property rights and political participation in Costa Rica and to develop domestic violence laws in Turkey, Nepal, South Africa, and the Republic of Korea.

Arialle Crabtree demands support for Women

Critics of the treaty say that women’s rights in the United States are enshrined in the constitution and therefore ratification is not necessary for women here. I disagree, there are all too many women in the US whose rights are abused. Furthermore, by not ratifing CEDAW, the US loses all credibility in demanding that women’s rights overseas be respected. President-elect Obama has clearly recognised the value of this women’s rights treaty, both as a commitment to respecting the rights of women in the US and as a pledge to reinforce any diplomatic efforts to end abuses against women around the world. I can’t help wondering if maybe it was the President-elect’s mother’s interest in international women’s issues that inspired him. Whatever the reason, I hope he continues to be inspired to defend women’s rights throughout his Presidency.